Faulty airbags have no respect for vehicle age

Car manufacturers want owners of older vehicles to ensure they check whether their cars are affected by the Takata airbag recall.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive, Tony Weber, says thousands of older vehicles on Australian roads were affected by the recall.

"Thousands of the outstanding vehicles are many years old.

"Some are approaching 20 years old. They may be with their third, fourth or fifth owner," Mr Weber said.

"Many of these vehicles will be in outlying suburbs and in regional and rural areas.

"No vehicle is too old to check on and all necessary rectification work is free."

Globally, there have been 26 reported deaths and more than 300 reported injuries attributed to the faulty airbags.

"A faulty airbag can seriously injure and even kill," Mr Weber said.

"It can pose a serious danger to vehicle passengers as well as drivers.

"This includes children regardless of whether they are sitting in the front or the back of a vehicle."

Airbag recall website

He urged vehicle owners to check the recall status of their family vehicles by using the automotive industry's Takata Airbag recall website Is my airbag safe? and taking prompt action to arrange for the rectification of any affected vehicles.

"It's a simple process - just go to the website and enter your vehicle's registration number and state or territory.

Or text TAKATA

"If you have children, friends or work colleagues with older cars, please make sure they have taken a couple of minutes to check on the industry website or by texting TAKATA to 0487 AIRBAG (247 224)," Mr Weber said.

"We understand vehicle owners are busy people, but we are dealing with a major public safety issue which can cause serious injury and even death."

Australian vehicle owners have identified more than 1.15 million vehicles affected by the recall since the industry website was launched in July 2018.